He bethought him of a pistol pressed upon him by Le Chapelier at the moment of his leaving Rennes, a gift which at the time he had almost disdained.

True, it was not loaded, and he had no ammunition.

But how was Fresnel to know that?
He acted quickly.

As with his right hand he pulled it from his pocket, with his left he caught the ferryman by the shoulder, and swung him round.
"What do you want now ?" Fresnel demanded angrily.

"Haven't I told you that I..." He broke off short.